Wednesday, August 7, 2013

So Much to Say

First, I am sad to admit I have turned into a bad blogger.  I basically have something I want to write about almost every single day, but when I get home, I want nothing more than to lay down and take a nap.  Some days I think, I'll just sit on the couch and relax for a few minutes before I sit down in front of the computer.  But then, I simply can NOT keep my eyes open and another day goes by.

Ever since softball season started, I got behind on my blog reading as well as my blog writing.  I've been about 2 weeks behind everyone else for MONTHS.  I finally got caught up and was only a week behind.  But then...our softball team went to California last week for Nationals and suddenly I am 3 weeks behind!  I am madly trying to catch back up so I can be on the same page as everyone else.

When I logged on to write this post, I discovered I've lost a follower.  That makes me a little sad actually.  It's hard not to think if only I'd write more, maybe I'd be more interesting.  But then the thought also crosses my mind, that maybe it's someone struggling in the throws of treatment and it is simply too hard to read about a pregnancy.  I know that can be difficult for some.

 
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Okay, on to better things!  Yesterday was my first appointment with Maternal Fetal Medicine.  It was a three part appointment.  First we met with a genetic counselor to go over our family medical history to discuss potential genetic/chromosomal abnormalities.  She talked to us about different tests we can do.  Hubby and I both agree that we do not want to do anything invasive that could potentially harm the babies.
 
Then we had an ultrasound to measure the nuchal translucency.  This test is done to determine a potential risk for Down Syndrome and a few other possible chromosomal abnormalities.  Baby B cooperated and allowed the tech to get a good measurement.  Baby A on the other hand was very ornery and would not allow a measurement, regardless of which position I laid in.  We also tried a vaginal u/s, which also didn't work.  So I have to go back next week so they can try again.  Darn!  That just makes me so sad that I HAVE to go back and see my babies again.  I hope you are catching my sarcasm, because I'm actually ecstatic that I get to get another u/s so soon!
 
Both babies were moving and having a little dance party in there.  Both have two arms and two legs.  Both have stomachs, bladders, and nice solid heartbeats.  We didn't actually get to hear the heartbeats, which I was a little bummed about, but we did get to see them on the screen so that was okay.
 
After the u/s, we med with the Perinatologist.  She said that Baby B's nuchal measurement looked good and is not suspect of any problems.  She also said that Baby A's looked good visually, but they just couldn't get the exact number measurement.  She said we should have nothing to worry about with either baby.
 
I went into the appointment with a list of questions that she happily took the time to answer.  I must say though, that I am more confused on a few of them than before I went in.  I've been concerned about my nutrition.  I really don't think I eat too bad, but I also really don't think I'm getting what I need.  I absolutely know I don't get enough protein.  So I asked if she had a nutrition checklist that I could work from. 
 
She recommended the book When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads by Barbara Luke.  I told her that I actually have that book, but I've only been able to skim through it so far.  I had skimmed through the nutrition section previously, and one of the things it recommends is drinking a protein drink every day.  After reading that, I had purchased some Ensure protein shakes.  It concerned me how much sugar is in each one of those drinks, 22g for just a little bottle!!!  The doctor agreed with me that the sugar content was very high and I should probably stay away from those drinks since I am considered at risk for Gestational Diabetes.  Okay.....but that book highly recommends those drinks and you are telling me to follow the book.  Confusion.
 
We also talked about weight gain.  This doctor told me that I should expect to gain about 20-25 lbs for this pregnancy.  What?  Hold on!  Uhhhhh......  for twins????  Again, confusion.  This book (that she was recommending) recommends a weight gain between 38-47 lbs.  Unless I'm obese, in which case the book recommends a gain between about 25-36 lbs.  This makes absolutely NO SENSE to me.  I am not obese.  Yes, I did start out a little overweight, but I am NOT obese by any stretch of the imagination.  Isn't a weight gain of 20-25 lbs normal for a singleton pregnancy?  More confusion.  I'm not sure what to think about this.  Especially since she was highly recommending this book, which was written by a nutritionist.
 
 
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As of this coming Saturday, I will be 14 weeks.  We've made plans to tell all of our extended family on that day.  We are meeting my family for breakfast.  I don't know if my Grandma will make it to the breakfast as she doesn't get out much.  If she doesn't come, Hubby and I will make a special trip out to see her. 
 
Saturday night, my in-laws are hosting a BBQ at their house for all the Aunts, Uncles, and extended family.  They just moved to their new place a few months back, so the BBQ is under the pretense of having everyone out to see their new property.  They were planning to do something like that anyway so it works out perfectly for us to make our announcement to everyone.
 
I'm still a little uneasy about our pregnancy being advertised to the world, but it's becoming more and more noticeable.  Kinda hard to hide TWO babies growing in there!  It's also really difficult to get EVERYONE together at the same time, and we'd really like to tell people in person.  So here goes...
 
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Softball is officially over.  For the third straight year, our travel team qualified for the ASA/USA National Tournament, something we are incredibly proud of.  As of last week, Hubby and I are retired from coaching for about 7-8 years.  We figure we'll probably get involved in it again around then, with our own kids.
 
I'm going to wait another 3 weeks or so until I resign my coaching position from the high school.  I'll wait till school gets back in session.  That's going to be hard.
 
It's going to be difficult to walk away from these girls and their families.  I'm sure we'll still be out watching a lot of softball games.  These girls have been OUR kids on the field for a long, long time.  We will miss them, but we are looking forward to this next adventure in life.

41 comments:

  1. I know that has to be so hard on you to leave coaching, but you are absolutely right, you do have a new chapter of your life coming up. When one door closes another is always opened.

    I personally think that is crazy to only gained 25 lbs with a twin pregnancy! As long as you and the babies are healthy, that is all that matters!

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    1. Oh! It really does feel terrible to lose a follower, it just happened to me today also. But, I have to remind myself that I blog for me and if people aren't interested, they shouldn't follow .

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    2. I've decided that I need to just not worry about the weight part. Whatever is going to happen is going to happen. The funny thing is, how much weight I should gain wasn't even one of my questions! Just something she happened to mention to me!

      I agree about the followers. It's crappy to lose a follower, but then that just makes me feel a little petty. By the way, I need to get your blog back on my list! I've just been so far behind that I haven't done it yet. I've been a bad bloggy friend :(

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  2. Good to hear from you! Don't worry about being away, you've obviously had a lot going on. But keep us all posted from time to time, we want to know how you're doing. Great to hear that things are still going so well!

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    1. Thanks Aramis! I have been extremely busy, but I am hoping that now that softball is over, I will have more time on my hands. Of course, that time needs to be filled with getting our house baby ready! Ugh. That is going to be a project.

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  3. sooo happy to hear from you . we all get that you are busy no worries. i hope you are just enjoying this most awesome, well deserved time. hugs

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    1. Thank you! I am starting to believe this whole baby thing might actually happen!

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  4. 14 weeks already? Wow.
    I actually have that book and never really finished reading it. I was so nauseous when I got it that I couldn't read about diet and nutrition. Now I am just too tired. Strangely, I never asked and have never been told by any doctors how much weight I should gain. They weigh me at every appointment and I figure if there is a problem of too much or too little weight they will mention it. A nurse told me as long as the babies are growing on track, how much weight I gain isn't too big of a deal. I think I am up 25 pounds right now at 27 weeks.
    It's good to get an update from you. Have fun telling your family!

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    1. You are so right. If the babies are growing on track and everything looks good, then that is all that really matters. I'd say 25 lbs in 27 weeks is right on target! I am so, so excited for you and love following your blog and reading about your own twin pregnancy.

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  5. Good to hear from you! Glad rhe mfm went well.

    I was up 30 points by the time I delivered the big boys (28 weeks). I lived on carnation instant breakfast, especially once I hit the point when two bites made me full.

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    1. Grr. Once again it should be noted that my phone hates me.

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    2. Haha! I actually didn't even notice anything remiss about your post, except the points instead of pounds, but I knew what you meant :) Yeah, I just found some carnation instant breakfast yesterday that has no sugar added. I haven't tried it yet, but am hoping that will work. The babies haven't overtaken my stomach yet, but I still find it difficult to eat sometimes, especially in the morning!

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  6. Oh, I get so excited to see another post from you!!! I have checked faithfully every day, sometimes several times! And then to hear such fun and good news from your doctor's appointment and how sad you are to have to go back for another u/s!!!!! Soooooooo, wish I could be there to hear you share the news and the excitement that will be shared!!!!!!! I'll be anxious to read that post!!! Have fun!!! And congratulations on so many years as coach, agree with Just T one door closes and another opens! And what a door it is!!!!!! Hugs, prayers and love from Auntie!

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    1. Well, I feel bad that you check so often and I have been so rarely posting! lol. I wish that you could be at breakfast Saturday with the family too, along with T and D, but that's a pretty long drive just for breakfast!

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  7. Wow, you're out of the first trimester. That's great!

    Regarding the peri, it seems like that's a bit of a flag. I almost wonder whether you should keep your eyes open for any additional inconsitent recommendations. You may need to put your complete trust in her later in your pregnancy and need to make sure that you do trust her judgment.

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    1. I know! Second trimester! How is that possible?

      As for the peri, yeah, I wasn't too sure what to think of her. I actually really liked her, but her answers to those questions seemed to conflict with everything I've read. I actually don't know that I will be seeing this same one every time. We will see. The good news is I also have my regular OB. I just haven't seen my OB for several weeks, and now won't see her for another 2 more weeks!

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  8. Less is more these days. I guess they told you a lower number knowing quite well that most women will gain more than the guidelines.

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    1. I don't know what to think about that. From everything I've read, weight gain is pretty critical in a twin pregnancy to help prevent pre-term labor.

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  9. I too think of so many things to write about but there are only so many hours in a day. I understand how hard the resignation will be for you, my mom coached volleyball for many many years and when she resigned it was hard on her but when your kids get involved it will be fun to get involved again.

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    1. It's hard to walk away from something, and all the families, when you've done it for so long! Hubby and I have been coaching for 20 years! It's been our whole life, but I am so excited for this next stage that is coming our way.

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  10. I'm glad everything looks good! You're right, though, that really is a shame you have to go back and look at those babies again. Too bad. ;)

    What about making your own protein shakes? T.Joe's has great protein powder. I like the chocolate whey and the vanilla soy.

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    1. I actually used to make myself protein shakes frequently, but then I heard that you aren't supposed to use protein powder during pregnancy. I'm really confused on that one.....

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  11. Yay for good news and extra viewings of your twins!

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    1. I am excited to get to see the babies again, especially so soon!

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  12. I'm so glad everything looked good- and that you get to go back again next week! Hooray! That weight gain sounds crazy to me. I was told I could gain between 25-35 according to my BMI and there's only one babe in this ute!

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    1. That's what I mean, right? I mean, I know I weight a little more than I should have to begin with, but I am not even remotely considered obese! Crazy.

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  13. Glad you are back and congrats on 14 weeks!!

    That weight gain number is low! I started out my singleton pregnancy overweight and my dr is still recommending that I gain between 20-25 lbs. With twins you should definitely be gaining more than that!!

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  14. I'm so happy to see a post from you! I also lost a follower this week, and while it made me sad, I have to remember that I was blogging way before I had any followers because my blog is for me, my way of remember the struggle I've gone through and a way to get my emotions out. It sill sucks, though.

    Congratulations on an awesome ultrasound! I agree with above comments, why not make your own protein shake? I've heard of a good one with bananas and chocolate (similar to this, http://skinlessproject.com/chocolate-banana-protein-shake/) just add protein powder.

    Congratulations to your team for making it to nationals again! From the stories you've told, your girls are going to miss you just as much as you're going to miss them. You've had a huge impact on their lives!

    I see that you follow Our Grisworld; I remember that she did a post back in the day about gaining weight with twins that might be good for you to look over. If I remember right, her doctor told her to gain all of her weight in the first and second trimester because as the babies get bigger, she would be able to eat less and less.

    I hope that your next ultrasound goes as well as this one did!

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    1. Sorry for the novel of a comment!

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    2. Thank you so much for all your kind words Aislinn. It really means a lot. I actually have a few really good recipes for protein shakes, but remember reading somewhere that you aren't supposed to use protein powder during pregnancy, and that you shouldn't eat protein bars. That kinda contradicts drinking the Ensure brand or Carnation Instant Breakfast shakes, but whatever. I'm just confused....

      I did read Amanda's posts about weight gain and looked up the nutrition check lists she mentioned. I wasn't able to print off the check list from the website though, so thought maybe the doctor might have something similar. Nope... Totally makes sense to gain the weight in the first and second trimester because of not being able to eat as much later. I find it difficult to eat very much now! I can't imagine what it will be like later.

      P.S. I like novels :)

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  15. great to hear from you and so glad things are going well! 14 weeks! wow!! i bet you are starting to show! try not to sweat the details on the nutrition - I am sure you want to do it exactly right but with yours background I am sure you can make good choices without following precise guidelines! I am sure you must be sad to stop coaching since it has been such a big part of yoru life - but man is life about to change! so exciting!!! enjoy telling everyone when you are ready!

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    1. I can hardly believe I will be 14 weeks Saturday. Crazy, exciting, and scary all at the same time! Even though I KNOW how to make good nutrition choices, it is something that I have always struggled with. I just do better when I can follow a piece of paper with a nutrition plan telling me what to eat. I don't think I've been doing too terribly bad, but still, I just want to be sure I am doing everything I can to carry these babies to term! Life is definitely about to change, and it is a change I am very happy to make :) Thank you so much for reading my blog and for always having something nice to say!

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  16. I can just hear so much joy in your words. You sound so happy and breezy and that makes ME so happy too!

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    1. Awww, thanks Em. You always have the nicest things to say and it just warms my heart :)

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  17. I am wishing you the absolute best on this new adventure in your life :) xo

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  18. Hello from a new follower - hopefully I've bumped you back up to 51! I love reading about twin pregnancies. We went the Indian surrogacy route and our two are about to turn 4. I'm grateful every single day that we have them, but every so often it's nice to contemplate what I would have experienced if I could have carried them. So keep blogging!! And enjoy the next few months.

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    1. Thank you so much for reading my story and for being a new follower! It's such a silly thing, but it's nice to have this comradery with everyone and it means so much to me. I read another that tried the Indian surrogacy route, but then ended up having success with a surragate here in the states. I have no doubts it's a different experience to carry the twins yourself vs. using a surrogate, but what an AMAZING thing to have surrogacy as an option. I'm so glad that was successful for you and congrats on your twins! I have always been drawn to stories about multiples. It's crazy that I get to have my own story!

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